The Atlanta Hawks have made a significant move in their ongoing effort to reshape their roster. After years of trade turmoil, they have decided to trade their 25-year-old forward, John Collins, to the Utah Jazz. In return, the Hawks will receive forward Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. This trade marks an important step for both teams as they look to strengthen their respective lineups.
One notable aspect of this trade is the financial implications for both teams. Collins, who is owed $78 million over the next three seasons, will join the Utah Jazz, providing them with a talented and serviceable forward. On the other hand, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski has reported that the Hawks will benefit from the trade by opening up a $25.3 million trade exception, the largest in the NBA. This exception gives Atlanta the flexibility to potentially take on another player’s contract within the next year.
With this trade, Collins will be joining a young and promising core in Utah’s frontcourt. The Jazz already boast an emerging All-Star in Lauri Markkanen and All-Rookie Walker Kessler. Additionally, the team has made new additions through this year’s draft, including their 9th pick, Taylor Hendricks. Collins’s presence will add depth and versatility to an already formidable frontcourt, positioning the Jazz to potentially return atop in the Western Conference.
Reflecting on Collins’s tenure with the Hawks, it is evident that he played a crucial role in transforming the team into a formidable opponent in the Eastern Conference. In 2021, the Hawks reached the Eastern Conference Finals before ultimately falling to the Milwaukee Bucks in six games. Throughout his six seasons with the Hawks, Collins showcased his skills, averaging 15.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. Even in the 2022-23 season, he maintained his productivity with averages of 13.1 points and 6.5 rebounds.
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